|
Sport
Jun 26, 2020 11:34:43 GMT
via mobile
cato likes this
Post by Séamus on Jun 26, 2020 11:34:43 GMT
In between the discussions about the ethics of singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot at sports matches (I would have thought that preserving something written by a slave would actually be a good memorial to the hidden talented-ness that these unfortunates possessed?) and the excitement of Liverpool fans worldwide,an issue in recreational sport unexpectedly appears: "...after rare orchids took over after lockdown players have been barred from nine holes in Ashton Court in Bristol to allow the precious plants to seed. Owners Bristol Council are begging golfers to be patient, blaming flowers such as the at-risk greenwinged orchid for taking root.."(cf international express) Given the rare balmy weather and the proverbial temperament of golfers it'll be interesting to see who'll be wearing the plants there.
|
|
|
Sport
Jun 26, 2020 17:28:37 GMT
via mobile
Séamus likes this
Post by cato on Jun 26, 2020 17:28:37 GMT
On the subject of Sweet Chariot Prince Harry , who of course is in no way influenced by his ultra woke missus, said he thinks it needs to be "reviewed".
I watched a couple of minutes of a soccer match a few days ago and was amused by the canned applause and clapping at appropriate points in the continuing absence of actual fans.
Many of the iconophiles who turned up in London last week to defend statues and tussle with the police after a few cans seem to have been frustrated footie fans. Needless to see the BBC denounced them as far right facists. They did succeed in scaring off the BLM protesters something the police seem unable or unwilling to do.
|
|
|
Sport
Jun 30, 2020 11:37:51 GMT
via mobile
Post by Séamus on Jun 30, 2020 11:37:51 GMT
On the subject of Sweet Chariot Prince Harry , who of course is in no way influenced by his ultra woke missus, said he thinks it needs to be "reviewed". I watched a couple of minutes of a soccer match a few days ago and was amused by the canned applause and clapping at appropriate points in the continuing absence of actual fans. ..etc.... Watching footage of Harry jamming with Jon Bon Jovi a few months ago,it was hard to think of a less appropriate song than Living On a Prayer- unlikely that they'll even be living on a budget. The singer's intro of the Duke of Sussex as 'the artist previously known as Prince' was pretty worn out at that stage- several journalists had cracked it already by that time. It may not necessarily be the case in a world that's so unpredictable that we've seen some of the world's more tragic soccer fans focused on the 2020 games for the Belarus League or a dual-code Northern Irishman becoming the Australian Football League's major news story by testing negative,then positive,then negative to a sickness we hadn't heard of a few months ago, but I'm sure there's plenty of pundits expecting a different BonJovi composition to become a Harry's own ballad : "You're a loaded gun,yeah. There was nowhere to run. No-one can save me. The damage is done...(you give love a bad name)"
|
|
|
Post by assisi on Jun 30, 2020 19:58:46 GMT
On the subject of Sweet Chariot Prince Harry , who of course is in no way influenced by his ultra woke missus, said he thinks it needs to be "reviewed". I watched a couple of minutes of a soccer match a few days ago and was amused by the canned applause and clapping at appropriate points in the continuing absence of actual fans. Many of the iconophiles who turned up in London last week to defend statues and tussle with the police after a few cans seem to have been frustrated footie fans. Needless to see the BBC denounced them as far right facists. They did succeed in scaring off the BLM protesters something the police seem unable or unwilling to do. Harry looks as if he has been brought up to believe in nothing in particular, neither God, country or family. There doesn't seem to be any principle that he can attach to for any length of time. He is a good example of a vacuous generation who are like ships bobbing about at sea without sails or a motor and going in no particular direction except for where the wind happens to blow. Both he and his brother seemed to be diehard England rugby fans. However most dyed in the wool fans would keep singing the favourites and tell the bullies where to go. But looks like he has caved in and taken the middle road between two paths and ended up lost in the bushes. Sport will lose a lot of fans as it is being more politicised. I stopped following Celtic about a year ago, sold my Celtic shares and haven't looked back after 40 year of supporting them. With the advent of social media there was always bickering and pettiness aplenty. And UEFA, the football equivalent of the EU, was rotten, basically pandering to the big leagues, Spain, England, Italy,Germany and France with the great old teams of the late 20th century (Celtic, Ajax, Benfica, Standard Liege, Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Steaua Bucharest......) all finding it nearly impossible to compete at the top level due to the money differential.
|
|
|
Sport
Aug 18, 2020 4:20:32 GMT
via mobile
Post by Séamus on Aug 18, 2020 4:20:32 GMT
1980s Northern Irish footballer Norman Whiteside has reportedly sold his medals and attire to fund his retirement by a quarter of a million sterling, mentioning that he earned about £250 weekly for much of his playing days (a Northern Ireland World Cup shirt for a match against Yugoslavia is historical in more than one way). The wage was probably not that paltry when inflation is considered, but I wonder what he thinks of Aston Villa's £144 million of signings last year,or many NewcastleFC's actually being disappointed that a Saudi Arabian takeover which came with a £250 million player-investment promise was stalled? (Most likely, of course, he'll be pleased enough with the FA medal windfall and be far too at peace with all men to dwell on it)
|
|
|
Sport
Aug 26, 2020 8:47:07 GMT
via mobile
Post by Séamus on Aug 26, 2020 8:47:07 GMT
There's been mention that worldwide travel restrictions of various degrees are effecting the flow of impartial referees and umpires at sports matches,but it's been reported that England's cricket fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined over £2,000 for inappropriate language on the pitch by his own referee-father. As Usain Bolt and possibly some of his sportstar pals lie bedridden with possible covid19,it's good to know that some aspects of the world turns in order,congratulations Mr Chris Broad. The South Australian Football League, rarely makes news outside it's own state,but an over-careful umpire received attention when he decided that mutually touching money was out of bounds: "(a coach) accused the league of 'hitting a new low' and questioned whether it was a d-grade amateur league competition after rival captains Max Proud of Glenelg and Joel Cross of South Adelaide were asked by field umpire Michael Schramm to play rock,paper,scissors rather than toss a coin to decide choice of ends. In a bizarre pre-game scenes Cross won the hand game,picking rock to Proud's scissors.."(cf the west australian 25 aug). Perhaps he's preparing for a cashless society too? Hopefully GAA coaches would have the sense of humour to laugh it off, even in our day?
|
|
|
Sport
Sept 22, 2020 2:23:30 GMT
via mobile
Post by Séamus on Sept 22, 2020 2:23:30 GMT
Congratulations to Tadej Pogacar. I can never make heads or tails of the whole Tour de France system,but many will think it refreshing that Slovenians are better at cycling than they are at depicting First Ladies,unless you're one of the arty types who like the St.Stephen's Green-Yeats look. A Spanish footballer has made curious headlines by buying into the British League-Two Forest Green team as approval for their environmental responsibility,"the Gloucestershire club installed solar panels at their New Lawn ground and also created the world's first organic football pitch,spread using Scottish seaweed,a solar-powered robot mows it. Meat, dairy and fish are banned at matches"... obviously bags get meat-scanned upon entry,seeing that dogs are far from carbon-neutral,we're told. His efforts can be respected,but as Héctor Bellerin actually plays with Arsenal in the Premier League it's unlikely that he'll need play on Ms Sturgeon's seaweed or have a vegan diet imposed on him. Should the stadium still be called New LAWN or is this stretching the definition?
|
|
|
Post by kj on Sept 24, 2020 11:00:38 GMT
The scoring system for the Tour de France is more impenetrable to me than Trinitarianism.
I watch the Tour and the Giro solely for the scenery, although it is nice to hear Sean Kelly doing the commentary.
|
|
|
Post by Séamus on Nov 3, 2020 12:29:17 GMT
Congratulations to Irish horses (and Mr O'Briens X2) Twilight Payment and Tiger Moth who came first and second today in Australia's most popular race,the Melbourne Cup. Aiden O'Brien's other horse AnthonyVanDyke had to be euthanized after the race,the second instance for an Irish horse in as many years, no doubt this will double the efforts of animal-rights protesters. They can't suggest the screaming of spectators as a possible cause- the stadium was empty. Sts Malachy and Martin dePorres may be better known across St George's Channel,but the Welsh martyrology celebrated Winifred today, Nov 3. Her possible beheading wasn't the only rupture she symbolises- the traditional mass celebrates her with red vestments,the ordinary form often with white, obviously entertaining reservations of her martyrdom-cum-life-as-abbess (after her life was restored through her holy uncle). But do we really know that the resurrected life was more historical than the martyrdom? An interest in Celtic saints in the early 2000s claimed her as part of this tradition. As she's dated around the time of the synod of Whitby she could go either way- St Winifred seems destined to personify change. I'm mentioning this during a horse racing comment because 8 of the 24 horses the Cup were trained by men named O'Brien,whether Irish or Australian. At least we can see one flame of Irish cultural continuity in this.
|
|
|
Sport
Dec 9, 2020 2:00:11 GMT
via mobile
cato likes this
Post by Séamus on Dec 9, 2020 2:00:11 GMT
International Express being usually undisputedly ProEngland, it was pleasantly surprising to read a balanced and reverential obituary for Diego Maradona. His death is also a reminder of the turbulent nature of his time- the Irish rugby team recently found former-USSR state Georgia a perhaps tougher opponent to beat than they expected, but here we can remember West Germany as a separate nation from it's communist half- Argentina's main World Cup rival in Diego's prime.
|
|
|
Sport
Dec 9, 2020 9:17:41 GMT
cato likes this
Post by Maolsheachlann on Dec 9, 2020 9:17:41 GMT
International Express being usually undisputedly ProEngland, it was pleasantly surprising to read a balanced and reverential obituary for Diego Maradona. His death is also a reminder of the turbulent nature of his time- the Irish rugby team recently found former-USSR state Georgia a perhaps tougher opponent to beat than they expected, but here we can remember West Germany as a separate nation from it's communist half- Argentina's main World Cup rival in Diego's prime. My earliest memory of soccer was the 1986 World Cup-- mostly from the presence of chewing gum cards and stickers. Maradonna was everywhere.
|
|
|
Post by Séamus on Mar 1, 2021 8:42:07 GMT
News of the latest artefact unearthed in Pompeii- a ceremonial chariot last parked at the city's stadium- was published worldwide just as I was reading about an early 1960s account of the modern Italian display connected with a factional horse race which (still,I found out) takes place in Siena. I recall Mr Maolsheachlann mentioned writing an article about unusual Sports...not sure if this made the grade? The bareback-riding jockeys whip each other when racing. And even sabotaged equipments,which happened in this case,doesn't disqualify the perpetrators.
The amount of pageantry described, including much dressing in armour, is extraordinary. "What impressed me as the pageant unfolded was it's seriousness. In England one goes to a pageant prepared to smile at the absurdity of people pretending to be their ancestors,but in Siena a great part of the male population walks with ease into the fifteenth century. Of the hundreds of men and boys taking part not one looked out of place or embarrassed" (Morton,traveller in Italy)
Fans of perennially unfortunate teams (or even Liverpool FC this year) can take comfort that Siena Palio rules don't apply to them: "I was puzzled by six knights in armour who rode with their visors down. I was told that these represented six dead contrade (district teams) . The Bear, the Viper,the Lion, the Cock, the Sword and the Oak. If a contrada fails to win the Palio in fifty years, someone explained,it must die" ibid According to wiki's article there has been no change in contrada since the book was written,when the Goose was victorious. Seems that the strongest mascots are the ones that died,while the likes of the Caterpillar has endured- perhaps the once most fashionable or wealthy suburbs became less populated, as inner city areas do in large towns today?
Some high-profile Irish horse trailers might take note: "should a contrada's horse be killed during the prove (one of the many penultimate parades)...the contrada cannot draw another one,but parades in mourning with a draped drum, crêpe hanging from cap and helmet and a hoof of the dead horse borne sorrowfully on a silver dish" ibid
"As (the competitors) turned the corner and went downhill towards Via S.Martino a roar went up as,sure enough,two horses crashed into mattresses and their riders lay on the sand...one of the horses had run into the crowd knocking down several policemen and many spectators. The jockey was flung clear while the crowd, storming over the barriers began to kick and hit him" ibid Most municipal authorities would ask for a full enquiry into the behaviour these days. Siena too is under EU regulations now.
|
|
|
Sport
Apr 21, 2021 11:31:35 GMT
via mobile
Post by Séamus on Apr 21, 2021 11:31:35 GMT
Good to note an Irishwoman being the first female jockey to net a (Randox™)Grand National win. A vastly different senario from Mickey Rooney/Elizabeth Taylor drama. Not so undramatic are the reactions to a European Super football League,with even royalty weighing in. You'd think the Cambridges would have more to think about at present. Similarity to the Battle of the Five Armies? Considering that most stadia in 2020 were the Desolation of Smaug,it would figure.
|
|
|
Sport
Apr 21, 2021 14:33:37 GMT
Post by Seán Ó Murchú on Apr 21, 2021 14:33:37 GMT
Ladies Competitive SportDefinitely, it is very important for a girl to engages in physical exercise. Without Exercise I imagine in this day and age obesity, poor health or lack of stamina are unavoidable. Once a Lady gets marriage, once the babies start coming every year, as they do in the blessed Catholic marriage, it is difficult if not impossible to avoid it when one has never been active. Childbearing, child-rearing, carrying around toddlers, heavy housework, and keeping up with the day's demands are challenging enough when a mother is in excellent physical shape. Should Catholic girls engage in sports that involve competition? I wonder what are the effects of sport on a woman's character? positive and negative! May 1912, West Cork.
|
|
|
Post by assisi on Apr 22, 2021 16:18:24 GMT
Ladies Competitive SportDefinitely, it is very important for a girl to engages in physical exercise. Without Exercise I imagine in this day and age obesity, poor health or lack of stamina are unavoidable. Once a Lady gets marriage, once the babies start coming every year, as they do in the blessed Catholic marriage, it is difficult if not impossible to avoid it when one has never been active. Childbearing, child-rearing, carrying around toddlers, heavy housework, and keeping up with the day's demands are challenging enough when a mother is in excellent physical shape. Should Catholic girls engage in sports that involve competition? I wonder what are the effects of sport on a woman's character? positive and negative! May 1912, West Cork. I certainly think Women should be active if they can - walking, running, swimming, something that they enjoy. I'm not so sure that they should compete in Rugby, MMA (cage fighting) or boxing as these are violent contact sports that were aimed at men and are more suitable to men's need to burn off excess energy and physicality. I cringe when I see a women getting violently kicked or tackled around the stomach area as I think they may well some day have a baby in the womb and don't want to be causing themselves future problems. The only other problem is that sports and training have a tendency to become almost addictive. Better to enjoy the sport/leisure as an enjoyable pastime rather than to pursue seriously to the detriment of other things.
|
|